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Lakme Fashion Week preview: Behind the scenes

Lakme Fashion Week's spring/summer 2010 instalment in Mumbai is buzzing with anticipation. We bring you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the designers, models and what you can expect to see on the runway between September 18 and 22.

The venue, the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, is buzzing with fittings that stretch into the wee hours. Designers are busy ensuring the best fits and models are busy getting measured, trying on outfit after outfit and getting finalised ensembles nipped and tucked.

Here, model Candice Pinto tries out a plunging purple number by first-time GenNext designer Masaba Richards, the daughter of actress Neena Gupta and West Indies cricketing legend Sir Vivian Richards.

Taking a breather

Although Masaba was furiously busy with her line and fittings, she did find the time to pose obligingly for the shutterbugs, giving us her best smile. Then it was back to work, work, work!

Colourful lineup

The young designer's collection is a vibrant, rich mix of edgy ethnicwear and dresses, as is apparent from this line-up of her models. Earlier this year, she won three awards at SNDT University's annual fashion show: Collection of the Year, Best Embellishment and Trendsetting Collection. In a recent interview, she named Wendell Rodricks and Manish Arora as two of her big influences. Now, Masaba's prepared to take on Lakme Fashion Week.

Busy bee

Celebrated Bollywood fashion guru Manish Malhotra was seen flitting about, caught up in conversation on his cellphone. Manish will bring the second day of the LFW to a close with a grand showing.

Pick and choose

Models are involved in the selection process at Amalraj Sengupta's trials, with ensembles going back and forth and lively chatter lending a bustling air to things.

All tied up

Sengupta himself, however, was way too tied up to face the cameras for even a minute -- he is seen here working on a fitting as his choreographer looks on.

Out of the box

Now we're not sure whether these outfits from the GenNext fittings are wearable except on the runway, but they get a thumbs up for creativity, what say? They'll certainly make for an interesting showing!

He's game

We interrupted model Sahil Shroff taking a break from things and indulging in a snack. He was game enough to let us capture his boyish grin.

Mannequin musings

We also managed to secure a sneak peek at one of established designer Anupama Dayal's LFW creations -- it gives us an idea of what we can expect from her label Anupamaa on the catwalk. The line, called Joie, is light, flirty, romantic and flowery, very reminiscent of summer.

Making a statement

Designer Rahul Anand cut a cool picture in his own neat togs and he was nice enough to pose for us.

Chatting up

A model talks on her cellphone during the trials -- multitasking is where it's at!

The buzz

And here's our final glimpse of what's happening before bidding adieu. Stay tuned as the coverage of Lakme Fashion Week continues live, starting tomorrow!